I am 11 years old and looking for a babysitting job

First, you must clear this with your parents and ask them to help you find a job with neighbors, friends, church members, other parents at school, etc. whom they know would be good and safe people for you to work for.

Also, have you ever babysat before?

This is a worldwide web site, which means you must do the hard work of looking for a job where you live.

Hi CowgirlPiper,

Are there families in your neighborhood, that you know well, who might let you help out sometimes? Any relatives nearby with younger children you could help out?

At 11, some people may be OK with having you babysit, perhaps during the daytime, for example. Others may like the idea of having a "mother's helper" instead. This would be where you help do activities with the child, or children, while a parent is still there. They may be doing some household work, yard work, or working on some things from their job in another part of the house. It can be a good start of gaining experience, without having the full responsibility of supervising the child. It will also let people get to know you better and become more comfortable with the idea of you babysitting for them.

You might also check into whether a local hospital, YMCA, or other community program offers courses in babysitting. They usually have an age requirement, but it can be helpful to take a course if possible. You will learn about different ways to keep the kids busy and entertained, prepare simple snacks, and about keeping yourself and the kids safe. The certificate that you would receive can then be shown to the people you let know about your interest in babysitting.

Hi CowGirlPiper,

First off you are very young to be using this website and the World Wide Web in general so I hope you are being supervised by an adult; but if you are NOT then you should ask someone aged over 18 to help you immediately.

I assume that you live in the USA but if you are a UK citizen, I would refer you and your Supervising Adult to the following, taken from, http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/childcare/default1.htm...

The legal age for babysitting in the UK..

The law does not specify how old someone has to be to babysit.

However, the NSPCC recommends that no one under 16
Should be left alone to look after young children.

If someone under 16 is looking after a child, the parent or guardian,
And not the babysitter, remain legally responsible for the child's safety.

Parents should still use judgement when choosing a babysitter,
As some 16 year olds might not be mature enough to look after younger children.
The same careful judgements apply if your child wants to babysit for others.

The same website also points out...

There is no rule in law that specifies the age at which it is legal to leave your children alone.

However, the Children and Young Persons Act (1933) states that parents can be prosecuted
For wilful neglect if they leave a child unsupervised 'in a manner likely to cause unnecessary
Suffering or injury to health'.

But I strongly advise you to think again about babysitting until you are at least 16 yo.

Hope this helps.